| abstract |
Process for obtaining polymethylol compounds of the formula (I) (HOCH2) 2-C-R2 in which R mean respectively, independently of each other, another methylol group or an alkyl group with 1 to 22 carbon atoms or an aryl group or an aralkyl group with 6 to 22 carbon atoms, by means of the condensation of aldehydes with 2 to 24 carbon atoms, in an aldolization reaction, with formaldehyde, using tertiary amines as catalyst, to forming the alkanals of the formula (II) in which R have, respectively, independently of each other the meaning that has been indicated above, and its subsequent hydrogenation, characterized in that the aldolization reaction is carried out with an aqueous solution of formaldehyde with a formic acid content with a value <150 ppm. |